Passwords 101

You probably know that creating strong online passwords is one piece of the security equation. You may know that you should change your passwords on a regular basis. You may know that you should create passwords of at least 10 characters, comprised of letters, symbols and numbers. And you may know not to have your browser store passwords and log-in credentials.

But, are you still wondering just how secure that password you've created really is? We've come across a website you can use to rate passwords, in an effort to help you learn how to create better ones. Try out the "Password Strength Meter" on Securitystats.com. Remember, even though the site will not store the passwords you enter, test a password similar to one you might use (not your real password), as the site says.

If you discover your password skills are on the weak side, you're not alone. According to the site, the Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon University says that about 80 percent of all network security problems are caused by bad passwords. Be sure to take a look at the password "Do's and Don'ts" to get some safety tips.